A struggle to staff the country's radiation oncology services is turning more cancer patients to private care.  

RNZ is reporting that a service caring for patients in five regions across the North Island is not allowed to recruit the staff it needs, despite recommendations from Te Whatu Ora.  

Cancer Society Co-Director Kate Gregory told Mike Hosking that the shortage is just one reason for the patient shift. 

She says the private sector also has more cancer medicine options available. 

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